Easy does it guys and gals. Don't gloat too soon or loudly.
The ruling is good news for HPR and the hobby and it provides some relief, for now. I don't want to rain on the parade BUT this doesn't mean it's all over FOREVER. That's not the way it works when you are dealing with the Feds. They may pull back and regroup or come at it a different way but they are far from dead and like Freddy, they can, and most likely will, return in an altered form.
As someone who works hand in hand with a branch of the Feds I can tell you that you never really have them by the short hairs, they'll shave their entire body and cover themselves with baby oil if need be to get loose, and they will never die no matter how much water you drench them with.
Between the lines what I see is the judge telling them is how to change the rules so they can win. It's a simple matter of will the dog finally let the bone go, or is there vendetta enough remaining to catch a second wind and come again. They do after all have forever to try and they won't run out of money.
For now it's great, congratulations to TRA/NAR and those who fought so long to see this day. HPR has won a major battle but the war may not be over just yet, it's a TKO as far as they are concerned. Did they wave a white flag or say the word surrender? If not, and even if they did, don't bet your M motors on it.
HPR flyers still need to cross every t, dot every eye and give no reason to justify any type of extra scrutiny. Fly smart, fly safely. Obey the regs and codes.
Stay alert at your launches and watch the sheep. Some of them may be kin to Wylie Coyote.
Verna
Between the lines I see something completely different. I see a Judge that is not happy with BATFE. The language, when taken altogether, reflects his view on this matter. My interpretation is that unless they can return A or B, they had better not show up with anything else.
One thing I will agree with completely is that we must be vigilant. Image is'nt everything, but it counts an awful lot. Experience has demonstrated the expertise their spin doctors have with smoke and mirrors. We MUST make sure we don't supply them with the smoke! All they need is one bad HPR (or even a bad enough MPR) accident for them to sway public opinion in the press.
We deserve the opportunity to party, maybe even gloat a little considering what this hobby has been put through. We now have a responsibility to our fellow hobbyist, and to the future of our hobby.
Evil Ed